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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



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SB 22 1 883 ^ 



Derses, 



William S. I^drd, 



Tliese are but blossoms, doomed to fall 

When breathed upon by time. 
I would not ask foi- fruit from all 

Tlie flowers of my rhyme ; 
But I would be o'erjoyed to find, 

When come the harvest days. 
That time's rude blasts had once been kind 

And spared a few for praise. 



22 1883 ,] 

CHICAGO : 
Press of Ad.vm Cr.vig ct Co. 

1 8 ^^ 3 . 



.Li6C|\i^ 



TO MY 

ONE DEAREST FRIEND, 

WHOSE LIFE IS A DAILY BLESSING. 

AND 

WITHOUT WHOM 

MUCH OF THIS WORLD'S SUNSHINE 

WOULD BE MISSING, 

I DEDICA TE 

THIS LITTLE VOLUME OF VERSES, 

NOT WITHOUT A SAD SENSE 

OF THE UNWORTHINESS 

OF THE OFFERING. 



COPYRIGHT, 18S3, BY JOHN C. EVERETT. 



PAGE. 

Frontispiece - - Design of W. B. Alexander. 

Man's Heritage, - . . . . *) 

On a Fl,y-Leaf to Emerson's Poems, - - 11 

A Puritan Maiden, . . . _ h 

The River of Knowledge, - - - - 12 

The Hermit, ------ i:j 

Plato, ....... 14, 

The Sea-Gulls, - - . . _ 14 
The Poet, - - - - - - -15 

A Sunset. - - - . - k; 

A Midni(4ht Bell, - - - - - 17 

" Come Children, Come, Bring Sweetest Flowers," 17 

Love is Dead, - - - - - - 20 

Unexplored, - - - - - 21 

Written in the Woods, - - - - 23 

Nellie, My Darling, . . . - 25 

" If Her Sweet Lips My Love Should Take Away," 27 

"Sometimes in the Stillness of Night," - 27 

To A Rose, - - - - - - 28 

Transition, ------ 29 

Doubt, - - - - - . - 30 

Loves Blossom, - - - . . 31 

The Musician, - - - - - - 32 



CONTENTS. 



" One Aftttmn as Nature went PLTTfKiNG the 

Flowers, - - - - - 33 

"0 Fairest of my Springtime Friends,' - 35 

" A(iAIN THE AtTUMN WiNDS ARE HeBE.'" - - 36 

A Valentine. . . . . . 37 

The Last Years Nest, - - - - 39 

Three Circles, - - - - - - 40 

A Rainy Day in Jine, - - - - 42 

" Bweet Home." - - - - - - 43 

A Dream, --..__ 44 

To Age, - - - - - - - 46 

Shadows. --.-.. 47 

The Rivulet, - - - - - 47 

A Shaft from Cupids Quiver, - - - 48 

Serenade, ----.. 50 

A Tress of Hair, - - - - - 52 

ALBUM VERSES: 

"'Tis Meet that Thou Shouldst Seek to 

Find," - - ... 53 

" Joy upon Joy Will be Thine," - - 53 

" The Trusting Prayer that Mounts Above," 53 

'' No Breast but Bears Some Hidden Sorrow," 54 
" In an Albitm the Sunday Morning after 

President Garfield was Shot," - - 54 

Hymn, ----... 55 

To Mother, - - - - - - 56 

To J B ON Her Wedding Day, - - 58 

Blank Verse, Written on a Sunday Morning after 

THE First Snow- Storm of the Season, - 59 



uei^ses. 



fiDan'e Ibciitaoc. 

TT H! wlio is he can say lie's poor; bereft 
jh\ An heritage to make him rich; or left 
Without a friendship of the better kind, 
Alone, the true and false of life to find? 

Myi'iad hosts of men have lived and died, 
Bequeathing to the world, at eventide. 
The lessons of their daily lives, in deeds. 
In thoughts, in words ; and these have sprung 
as seeds. 

Each day, through all the ages past 
Has added something to the last ; 
With hundred tongues each year has rung, 
And thousand-voiced have centuries sung. 

Each word, each act, each thought subhme 
Has served a step on which to climb 
To paths more near the lofty height 
Whence cometh knowledge and all hght. 



lo VERSES. 

The topmost of these paths are ours, 

To beautify with love and flowers. 

And unto us 'tis also given 

Tliat we should bear with us toward Heaven 

A i)lant from meaner walks below, 

And nourish it, that it may grow. 

For us was made the moon, the stars : 

Jupiter, Saturn, Yenus, Mars, 

Are ours to wonder at, and see 

Reflected there the Deity. 

And in our quest of better things 

O never may these truths take wings : 

The sick are ours, to nurse, to heal — 
And theirs the joy our touch to feel; 
The blind are ours to lead aright 
And kindly point the way to light; 
And ours the weak, to strongly aid 
Ere our own strength become decayed. 

Yes, all of tliese are ours, 

And ours to do. 
When each hath done his best 
He's summoned to his rest : 
This last the blessed gift — 
It iiito Heaven doth lift 
The weary one 
iVmong eternal flowers. 



VERSJiS. Ji 

®n a 3ri\>^Xcaf to £incr50u'6 jpocin^. 

AKK! and music tliou shalt hear 
Waving from a distaiit spliere; 
Win the wisdom of a soul 
Wrapj)ing worlds from ])ole to pole ; 
Catch the whisper of the breeze ; 
Learn the language of the trees ; 
Shalt feel the heart-beat in the stone 
And know that never thou'rt alone : 
That every rock and tree's a brother 
While Nature is the only ni other. 

Dug no ore is from the earth 
Can compare w4th this in w^ortli ; 
Richest product of our land 
Though she fall yet this shall stand. 



a puritan nl^ai^cn. 

FOR A PICTUKK. 

P DEW-DROP in a lily's cup, 
Before the sun hath kissed it u]), 
That softly trembles as it lies 
Reflecting June's serenest skies, 
Is not more pure and fair confessed, 
Nor holds more heaven in its breast, 
Nor gives more joy, nor seems more good, 
More perfect, than thy maidenhood. 



J 'ERSES. 



Zbc IRivcr of 1krlowlc^i3e. 
I. 

1 I fHE river of knowledge flows freely, 
®J[fe unsealed, 

Its full fountains have broken away; 
All ungenerous feeling the world hath re- 
vealed 
It is washing, is washing away. 

II. 

Its fair banks are alluring with flower and 
with vine — 
They but woo the grand river to sleep ; 
And they catch the slow waters and softly 
entwine 
Them in meshes, more surely to keep. 

III. 

Let us sail this grand river, so broad and so 
deep, 
We will keep w^iere the current is strong, 
And the winds o'er our vessel may lustily 
sweep, 
They'll but hasten our voyage along. 



VERSES. ij 

IV. 

Every drop in the river was welled in the 
skies, 
And each drop in itself is a gem ; 
For each caught the reflection of fair angel- 
eyes 
As it slipped from some Heaven-grown 
stem. 



I 



Z\K Ibcnnit. 

PASSED a hermit's hut one day; 

I stopped to question him ; 
I asked him why he stole away 

To live a life so grim. 

A gentle smile lit uj) his face 
And heamed from out his eyes, 

In language full of lordly grace 
Thus si)ake the hermit wise : 

Who hath a friend in rock and stone 
May live a hermit not alone ; 
Who loveth flower and shrub and tree 
Lives with a various company. 
On every hand, in every clime, 
In winter and in summer-time, 
Com])anioned with these silent friends 
He finds enough to meet his ends. 



14 VERSES. 



Plata 

Out of Plato come all things that are still written 

and debated amoni;- m<ni of thouj^'ht. 

— Emeksox. 

T^OSSESSED of insight grand, sublime; 
j|^ Seeing all things for all time ; 

Uniting light from East and West, 
And knowing those things bad from best — 
So seeing, nothing dost thoii leave 
Those coming after to perceive. 



I. 

^> BEAT snowy drifts flit overhead, 
\J^ Their edges fired a golden red ; 

The placid waters of the lake 
The colors of the sky i)artake, 
And sea-gulls, darting here and there, 
Swift-cutting through the tinted air, 
Turn downward in their headlong speed, 
And, diving in the liquid waste, 
They clutch their silvery prey, then haste 
'Mid air again, as if new freed. 



VERSES. IS 

II. 

Fair silent Hopes,, with Joy tinged warm, 
Their journeys through Mind's realm per- 
form ; 
The deep pure w^aters of the Soul 
The soft tints of the Mind control, 
And swift-winged thoughts, that fly so fast 
With tidings from the fading past, 
Turn downward in their present need, 
And, sinking in the Soul's still w^ave. 
They find some living Truth, and brave 
The future with a nobler deed. 



^hc jpoct. 

TT7HE poet dreams not idly, for his dream 
® J^fe Is all a heavenly vision, softly set. 

The faces of bright Truths, some, eye- 
lid wet. 
Look through the veil his fancy weaves, and 

gleam 
Pure particles of that eternal beam, 
That hglits the dome of Heaven— Heaven's 

amulet, 
High Truth I No form of beauty ever yet 
But caught its life-spark from Truth's living 
stream. 



lb VERSES. 

And so, though some assure you that his 
ways 
Al'e simple iolhes, bringing forth no fruit ; 
All painful strivings for his fellows praise, 
And bid him silent keep his tuneful lute, 
Be not disheartened if you love his lays, 
But love them still, e'en though thy lips 
be mute. 



a Sunect. 



TT7HE sun withdrew, and passed the golden 
®J[© gates 

That bar his eastern kingdoms from 
those west, 
With all the splendor of an hundred states 
In richest regal pomp and glory dressed. 
Behind him, on white steeds, came closely 

pressed 
His knights and ladies, and. their nearest 

mates, 
Each leaning on their charger's golden crest, 
And far behind they left their lengthening^ 

trail — 
A darkly- deepening diamond-studded veil. 



VERSES. 



H nf^i^niol:»t 'BcM 

rrrOLL, toll, okl bell, 
^\j& And sadly tell 

The solemn midnio-ht hour. 
mournful s^Yell 
The days farewell 
From the belfry in the tower, 

Tell us a day 

Hath passed away 
And left its mark behind; 

That new-born breath 

And silent death 
Hath visited mankind. 



n 



'' Come (^biI^rcn, Come, l^xmcs 
Sweeteet flowere," 

I. 

aOME children, come, brini^' sweetest 
flowers 
To trim thy mother's grave ; 
Come quickly, ere the twilight hours 
Their chilling shadows wave. 



i8 I'ERSES. 



II. 

But one short year ago, my dears, 
She called you each by name, 

And comforted your childish fears 
As often as tliev came. 



III. 

And all the long, long winter through 
She watched you at your play ; 

Perhaps she wondered what you'd do 
When she had passed away. 



lY. 

All winter on a couch of pain 
She waited for the spring ; 

And longed for summer once again 
With all the sweets 'twould bring. 



V. 

Alas ! dear children, not for her 
The summer flowers bloom; 

The daisy scarce had nodded her 
Ere she was in her tomb. 



VERSES. tg 



VI. 

Your precious tears were all unsealed 
And then were quickly dried. 

Ah! children's saddest griefs are healed 
As soon as they have cried. 



VII. 

I wish that I could drown my grief 

In one full flood of tears. 
But no, my woe will find relief 

But in the flood of years. 

VIII. 

Now come, well visit that dear place 

Where her dear dust remains ; 
Well plant there flowers, the spot to grace, 

And pray for gentle rains. 



IX. 

Perhaps she'll watch us from above 

And know our tender care. 
While tears from her dear eyes of love 

Will bid them blossom there. 



VERSES. 



%o\fC i6 Dcab. 



m 



OAN ye winds, moan, oh moan, 

(Fog o' til' fen and salt o' th' sea) 
Toss ye the trees 'till they groan, 
(Fog o' th' fen and salt o' th' sea) 
Love is dead, 
Tears are shed, 
Hope has tied ; 
Dole ye a dirge with me. 



II. 

Where have they buried him winds? 
(Fog o' th' fen and salt 'o th' sea) 
Search through the world's confines, 
(Fog o' th' fen and salt o' th' sea) 
Now quick and now slow, 
Above and below, 
Away let us go ! 
Where he is buried lay me. 



VERSES. 



III. 

Gone is the sweet o' tli' rose, 

(Fog o' til' fen and salt o' th' sea) 
Where it is only he knows, 

(Fog o' th' fen and salt o' th' sea) 
The skies are not blue, 
Nor sparkles the dew, 
All hearts are untrue — 
Naueiit but the salt o' th' sea! 



IDincyplorc^. 
I. 

longer l)raves the storni-tossed un- 
known main 



f! 



The mariner, to gain 
New kingdoms for his king ; 
No longer do the sister-sirens sing, 
And hope the captive souls of men to bring 

To their cool ocean-caves, 
Where they shall list enchanted to the sound- 
in^r waves. 



VERSES. 



II. 



The worlds go singing on tlieir endless ways 
Eternal hymns of praise ; 
And watchers from our star 
Behold their countless courses from afar : 
A holy harmony which naught can mar, 

. AVhere song and service blend, 
And through the universe the love of beauty 
send. 

III. 

Yet there are nearer heavens and nearer 
shores 

Than these which man explores : 
The wide innnortal soul 
About our feet doth never ceasing roll, 
And binds us safely to the perfect whole ; 

And what therein is stored 
We wait the Angel Death that it may be 
explored. 







VERSES. 



^3 



Mrittcn in the Moo^6, 



SAX those who dwell among such scenes 
as these 
Continually, feel their sweet influence, 
As I feel now the soft and slumb'rous sounds 
That fill the air? () June, thou bring'st 

with thee 
Delightful odors of the full fresh grass; 
The fragrance of mild meadows, rich with 

gold ; 
The language of the living trees, that bend 
Their tops to catch thy gentle whisperings. 
And here am I ! and like a little child 
Who gazes at the starry lamps that light 
Tlie heavens, yet knows not what it sees. 

For all 
The voices that now come to me, are yet 
Unknown ; have never reached my ear till 

now. 



Z4 



VERSES. 



I see the pliiuiage of the feathered tribe, 
And hear their songs ; now startled by some 

sound 
That breaks the stiUness of the sohtude, 
As some quick sob will break the quiet night. 
IS o sound escapes ; the very presence of 
The grass is felt, as if each blade had thrust 
Me through. To-day I'm like a vine that 

spreads 
Its lengtli upon the ground and feels the 

earth, 
And sun, and summer air, and questions not 
The ways they came, or whether they'll be 

gone. 



/s. 




9^?^ 



-^^ 



VEKilES. 25 

I. 

'NELLIE, my darling, though I've loved 
/ you not long, 

Yet a part of my being you seem to 
belong ; 
You are to me, darling, sweet girl whom I 

love, 
As dear as the blue to the heavens above. 

II. 

'Tis months since I've gazed on the bright 
burning stars, 

As they swing through the heavens in their 
radiant cars, 

Without seeing through all the immeasur- 
able space, 

Your face, darling Nellie, your sweet loving 
face. 

III. 

Nor alone to the stars lends your counten- 
ance light, 

For I see in swift waters, that run clear and 
bright, 

Soft sparkles of sunshine, bringing quickly 
to mind 

Your eyes, darling Nellie, so tender and 
kind. 



26 VERSES. 

lY. 

No rosebud ere blossomed, sweetly scenting 

the air, 
But 'twould add to its fragrance if entwined 

in your hair. 
Your rich raven tresses, that fall like the 

night — 
Like soft twilight shadow's, love, veiling the 

hght. 

Y. 

All Nature's loved voices that greet the still 

ear. 
But serve, darling Nellie, to make you more 

dear ; 
All tell in soft whispers the all you're to me — 
Dear heaven's so willed it, love, so let it be. 

YI. 
Yes, Nellie, my darling, though I've loved 

you not long, 
You a part of my being now seem to belong ; 
And often I dream — darling tell me 'tis 

true I — 
That you live for me, love, as I live for you. 




VEKSES. 27 



IF her sweet lips my love should take away — 
Dear lips, that hold a cup of kisses 
chaste 
And sweet as nioriiiug zephyrs, as they play 
Around a field with fairest hlies graced — 
Where could I find, beneath the bending sky 
A breath as sweet as on her lips doth lie? 



OMETIMES in the stillness of night 
Conies a spirit as healing as balm; 
A radiant angel in white, 
And she wraps my sore spirit in calm. 

She breathes o'er the soul, as the wind 
On the tenderest, sweetest, harp's 
strings ; 

And a melody breaks there confined ; 
And sweet to its music she sings. J 



/ 'ERSES. 



{To a 1R06C. 

GO, sweet flower, unto my love and let 

Her drink thy beauty in with her 

soft eyes, 

And with eacli breath, and fill her breast 

with sighs ; 

And if in her sweet thoughts thou should'st 

beget 
Of me, so that her lips should touch and wet 
Thee with their dewj rose, if thou art 

wise. 
And can by any subth^ art devise 
A way, tell her thy passion while as yet 

Thou wert a bud, unfolding to the sun 
And listless wandering winds thy spotless 
robe 
Of white, and all the sweetness thou liadst 
spun 
Within the circle of thy bursting globe ; 
Tell her, sweet, fair rose! that she may 

know 
The joy she brought to me a year ago. 



VERSES. 



2g 



WITH ha 
aroi 



^raneition. 



appy bands I formed a frame 
•oiind 

A dear, sweet face, and gazed into 
the eyes, 
Then- utmost, hidden depths of blue to sound, 
In search of those sweet springs of 
paradise 
Whereat the thirsting soul may satisfy 

Itself in pools of light and love and life. 
I thought I had discovered where do lie 
Those secret fountains, still, unstirred by 
strife ; 
When, suddenly, Death trailed her shadowy 
sliroud; 
My face grew grave and pale ; I loosed my 
hands, 
And, looking in Love's face, where, like a 
cloud 
Before the sun, stood Wonder, thought 
whose bands 
Would Death first loose, and prayed that 

hers first be 
And she be spared tiie pain of mourning me. 



so VERSES. 



Boubt. 



DOUBT, thou fell destroyer of all 
peace ; 
Dark murderer of Faith ; disturber of 
The heart's most holy passion, perfect love, 
From out my breast ! I grant no longer lease 
To thee, foul tenant! Hear! I l)id thee 



cease 



Stop whispering in mine ear that thou 

canst prove ! 
Thou liest, and mine heart canst never 
move 
Though thou thy ravings many times increase. 

those who harbor thee but once do rue 
The day : they live to curse thy progeny. 
Thrice blest is he whose arm of Faith, well 

built, 
Has had the strength to send bright sun- 
shafts through 
Thy hideous darkness, and been wholly free, 
Without a taint of thine abhorrent gnilt. 



VERSES. 



31 



WHEN first love's blossom burst within 
my heart 
I felt its beaiitj' was a priceless 
prize ; 
I thought the years, though brought from 
paradise, 
Could bring no flower so fair in every part. 

iVnd I in praise had sung " How fair thou 
art! 
How beautiful unto my spirit's eyes! 
Nor was, nor will be, flower more sweet 
than lies. 
So soft, unfolding in my trembling heart." 

But still the blossom grew each day more 

fair ; 
I said, many times ! " Lcjve's flower, at last, 
Is perfect," nor, till Sorrow came with tears 
That fell upon it, through the saddened air, 
The while it closed and held its fragrance 

fast — 
Till shone the sun — saw I the crown of 

years ! 



32 VENSES. 



Z\)c riDueician. 



TT7HY haDcl kiiowst well the art to sweep 

®|® the keys- 
Unchaining music from the instrument 

Until the soul is tilled with harmonies 

That seem from the celestial regions sent ; 

Thy hand dost draw the bow across tlie 
strings, 

And wakes a strain, ilik^ voiceless soul 
witlii]! ; 

It seems to hear the song some angel sings 

Move from the hollow of tliy violin. 

The strains are sadder than the sighing 

breeze ; 
And softer than the falling, summer rain ; 
They wake the soul to holier mysteries, 
And give unto the spirit life again ; 
And yet, dear heart, tliy hand, love-taught, 

just now 
Woke sweeter music, laid ui)on my brow. 



VERSES. 



33 



''®ne Hutumn ae mature Ment 
Iplucf^iiuj tbe iflowcre." 



0NE autumn as Nature went plucking 
the flowers 
She grew sad with pity for Earth; 
She knew she was bearing beyond reach of 
ours 
The most beautiful things that have birth. 

II. 

She bore in her bosom all Summer's fair race, 
And, ere she had quite stript the trees, 

Half turned to gaze after ; she scarce knew 
the place — 
All gone were the things that most please ! 

III. 

She considered some way — loss, to gain to 
convert, 
Unto Earth, whom she'd robbed of her 
smiles : 
So much of sweet beauty should never 
desert, 
At one season, this world full of trials ! 



34 VERSES. 



IV. 

So she summoned the sisterhood fair, of the 
flowers, 
And asked if they'd sacrifice make 
By lending her, each, all their separate 
powers 
To bring forth something sweet, for Earth's 
sake. 



V. 



And every sweet flower in the Summer that 
blows. 

In valley, on mountain, or plain, 
From fairest Queen Lily to radiant Eose, 

Quickly offered her service and pain. 



YI. 



And thus was enabled, through Flora's sweet 
grace, 
Goddess Nature to make one so fair ; 
To fill with such sweetness and beauty one 
face. 
And stamp such a loveliness there. 



VEKSJiS. 



VII. 



ss 



And now goes dear Nature forth plucking 
the liowers, 
And her heart feels no pity for Earth, 
For she knows she has placed in this fair 
world of ours 
One being who holds all their worth. 



" © Jfaireet of tnv^ SpnnG==timc 

0FAIEEST of my spring-time friends 
What wondrous virtue lies in thee ? 
A light from thy sweet soul descends 
And throws a radiance over me. 

The heart is like that common flower 
So lavish with its wealth of gold, 

That only knows the sun's sweet power 
Its close-clasped secrets to unfold. 

My sun thou art ! Beneath thy rays 
My heart unfolds its richest bloom ; 

Thou lendst the hght to fill my days ; 
Thy light, departing, leaves but gloom. 



3(> VERSES. 



n 



again tbc Hutumn Min^6 arc Ibcre/' 



PGAIN the autumn winds are here ; 
Once more I see, alone, 
Them strew the leaves on Summer's 
bier 
And hear their mournful moaii. 

INow soon the wizard Frost will dress, 

With magic art, the woods 
In many colored gorgeousness, 

Eeflecting Nature's moods. 

And when the scene in royal hue 
Is decked, and suns shine clear, 

Again, my love, shall I see you, 
Your gentle voice I'll hear. 

And you will drive all gloom away ; 

Will change the fall to spring ; 
And night will seem as bright as day — 

Such is the joy you'll bring. 



VERSES. . j7 



a IDalcntine. 



\ I /HEEE'S none on earth more heavenly 

(^|fe fair 

Than thee, dear love of mine, 
And I would send thee something rare 
In this my valentine. 

II. 

What shall it be ? A flower ? A gem ?— 

The rarest ever seen 
Would fail to grace thy diadem. 

My love, my heart's sweet queen! 

III. 

What couldst thou want of sapphire, pearl, 

Or coral from the sea, 
When nature to thee, dearest girl, 

Gave so abundantly. 

IV. 

The rainbow with its lovely hues ? — 

Alas ! they fade away. 
Melt into distant space, diffuse. 

And leave no single ray. 



JS 



VERSES. 



V. 

Dear heart, oh, could I! I would reach 

The polar star for thee, 
And bind it on thy brow to teach 

Thy lover's constancy. 

VI. 

When thou shalt look at that bright star 

I'd ever have thee know 
That as it guides the ship afar, 

My love would guide thee so. 

VII. 

may my love shine through thy night, 

And shine to comfort thee, 
may it be thy beacon-light, — 

My heart's deep constancy. 




VERSES. 



39 



(Tbc Xacit !J)ear'6 meet. 

rWENT fco the spot where the last yeai''s 
nest 
Once lay upon the ground, 
But not a trace of the last year's nest 

Remained there to be found. 
Gone to the winds, like the scent of the rose? 
where is the last year's nest? 
With its feathers and hair 
And its tree- twigs bare, 
where is the last year's nest? . 



Long had the tenants forsaken the place 

And left it alone in the wood, 
But once it was filled with a fair sweet face 

And a presence so perfectly good. 
That I thought all the grace in this world 
so fair. 
Was put in a body and bound up there 
In the last year's nest. 



40 VERSES. 



^brec Circles. 



PAIE winds ! soft skies ! 
Now a wild wind sighs 
And dark clouds are breaking 
And rain-drops are shaking. 

Dark skies of lead ! 

A fair wind hath sped 
And the dark clouds ride over 
And up springeth the clover. 

11. 

Eyes glad and gay ! 

A rude word you say 
And sad tears are falling — 
Tears past all recalling. 

Eyes dimmed with tears ! 

Soft words sorrow fears, 
And the eyes that were crying 
In sw^eet joy are dying. 



VERSES. 



41 



III. 

Hands clasp ! Lips meet ! 

One moment sweet, 
And tender bonds breaking 
Leave loving hearts aching. 

Hands part and lips ! 

An age each hour slips, 
When heaven melts together 
Loving hearts, and forever! 




42 J'ERSES. 



a IRain^ 2)a\> in June. 



WITHOUT, all sad, the sky is clad 
In dull cold garb of gray ; 
And hard the rain on window-pane 
Hath pattered all the day. 

The winds that blow will never go. 
Nor come the birds sweet song ; 

The month of June is out of tune 
To shivering come along ! 

But blow, ye winds ! and bring all kinds 

Of showers upon thy wings ! 
Thy bitter blast can't always last 

In spite of better things ; 

The skies will clear, and I shall hear 

From every wall and tree, 
Those songs again in glad refrain 

From songsters gav and free. 



VERSES. 43 



*' Sweet Iboine." 



OFT was the song she sung ; 
Soft as the breeze among 
Tree-tops in June ; 
Out on the wind it swept, 
Into my heart it crept 

Pale as the moon. 



Sweet was the song she sung, 
Yes, sweet in every tongue 

Spoken below; 
Sweet as a mother's love, 
Sweet as the home above 

Whither we go. 



Still o'er my heart it threw 
Sadness, like summer dew 

Falling on flowers; 
For in her voice I heard 
Song of some stricken bird 

Kept from green bowers. 



VERSES. 



a H)rcam. 
I. 

rDKEAMED I lived a prince; 
My kingdom richly spread 
O'er hills and valleys fair 
As summer clouds ere fled, 
And in my kingdom dwelt 

With me a pretty lass, 
Whose cheeks had never felt 
A rude winds ruthless i3ass 
Unsheltered by my hand, 
Which ruled the land. 

II. 

And at tq.j call came forth 

From pleasant peaceful dells 
Where woodland fairies meet 

To weave their mystic spells, 
Like hounds at hunters call 

When eager for the chase. 
My simple subjects, all. 

To greet me face to face 

And bid me to command, 
Who ruled the land. 



T'£A'sy:s. 4s 



III. 



They gathered all about — 

Sweet 5'outlis and fairest maids,- 
And leaned agamst then- crooks 

Beneath the leafy shades. 
They knew the clearest brooks ; 

Where grew the sweetest grass ; 
Could name the coolest nooks 

Where summer days might pass 
As swiftty as an hour 
In Beautj^'s bower. 

IV. 

I spake and eagerly 

Each face met mine — so sweet 
I could not help but smile ; 

Then pointed at my feet, 
Where lay the little one 

I loved so well asleep, 
Her ringlets in the sun 

A cloth of gold to keep 
A poet's storj^ told 
When worlds are old. 



VERSES. 







OST tliou who bear three-score and ten 
Look longingly to that sweet time 
Of youth and early love? Time when 
Thy manhood set all things to rhyme, 
And made the blood to rush and leap, 
That now so sluggishly doth creep. 



Recollect thou, with fond, dear thought, 

The happy day when first thou laid 
In love's soft lap? Time when was brought 
The holy passion that hath made 
Thy long abiding here so sweet, 
And filled thee with a joy complete. 



I'E/^SES. 4j 



ILENTLY, slowly, the daylight fades 
As the sun sinks low in the West ; 
Softly and sweetly the evening shades 
Woo the mother bird back to the nest ; 
Tenderly, gently, the shadow persuades 
And the world seeks quiet and rest. 



(Tbc IRivulet 

TT7HE rivulet dances, and leaps, and skims, 
®J[® As if it were gifted with nimblest 

limbs. 
It widens and narrows and wands and twines 
And ripples and gleams and brightly shines 
Bunning o'er sandy bed, 

Dashing in foam. 

By the Creator led 

Safe to its home. 



48 VERSES. 



a Sbaft from Cupid's ^Suivcr. 



I. 



aUPID once, the truant archer! 
To the earth on mischief wended 
With his arch and arrows 'tended. 
Dropped he in a grove of hhes — 
Lihes tall and fair and stately, 
Blooming by a stream, sedately. 
Thought the master mischief maker : 
" What now should I with an arrow 
Drive a passage, neat and narrow. 
Through these tall and stately lilies 
Where each wdnd so soft and still is?" 
Scarce had thought the Prince of Mischief 
'Fore his arrow met the bow-string. 
And he aimed it true : 'twould so bring 
But resistance from the fairest 
Of these lilies, all the rarest. 



VEA'SES. 



49 



II. 



Quick his bow-string snapped and fluttered, 

And the truant archer uttered 

Something hke a sigh of gladness. 

He's a cruel piece of madness 

Is this little son of Venus ! 

He cares not his shafts in falling 

Bring a grief that's past recalling; 

Not a care for those he's wounded 

For no care in him is grounded. 



III. 

Peering through the narrow shaft-way, 
(Only one who knows the craft may), 
Saw the shameless son of Venus, 
Far as is the space between us 
And the setting sun in summer, — 
Saw the little truant comer. 
Two fair forms — a youth — a maiden — 
Far apart — with shaft-stains laden. 
Yes ! the truant's shaft had broken 
Through two breasts as yet unspoken I 



so VERSES. 



5crcna^c. 

0THE stars shine bright 
With a twinkhng hght 
And the moon hath silvered o'er, 
For my dear love's gaze, 
With her mellow rays, 
All the stream from shore to shore. 

Where the oriole sung, 
Where the robin's call rung. 
Every wind is hushed and still, 
Save the cricket's shrill cry 
From the meadows close by, 
And the wail of the Whip-poor-will. 

In my bark of birch 

I have sailed in search 

Of thy haven of rest so fair ; 

And this glorious night. 

Filled with Love's soft light. 

Hath me guided wdth tender care. 

When I hunt by day, 

Though I'm far away. 

Thou art with me every hour ; 

In my dreams, asleep, 

Thou a watch dost keep — 

Tender guard of my lone bower! 



VERSES. 

And when skies are clear, 

In mine heart held dear, 

Shines thy face as none before ; 

And when mists arise — 

In thy bright black eyes 

Sparkles light that stars ne'er bore. 

May sweet dreams, my love, 

Fill thy sleep, above 

While the stars their vigils keep. 

And I'll watch below 

Till the moon sinks low, — 

Then I, too, will seek sweet sleep. 

Chorus : 

Fairest maiden, sleep above. 
Only maiden whom I love ; 
Sweetly sleep and dream of me 
While I tune my voice for thee ; 
While I sing njy song of love, 
Sweetly, maiden, sleep above. 



51 




32 VER6ES. 



a ITrcss of Ibair, 

BEFOEE me lies a tress of hair ; 
A dainty, dark, and shining snare 
That with my love my kisses share. 
O many a kiss is bound up there 
Within its wondrous meshes rare 
Where first her fingers, oh, so fair. 
Within it wound with tender care. 

And was it on her brow it laid 

While gentle zephyrs through it strayed? 

Or did it softly sweep her face 

To add a moment's witching grace, — 

To vainly mock me while T stayed 

And watched the teasing game it played? 

Or did it feel her temple's beat, 

Or twine about her ear so neat, 

Or laid it round her neck so fair 

This darkly-bright soft tress of hair? 

It matters not. It knew her care 
And bore a fragrance to the air. 
It brought a radiant glory there 

Upon her head. 
And now 'tis mine with her to share 

My kiss instead : 
A darkly-shining, heart-entwining, tress of 
hair. 



VERSES. jj 



album IDcrscs. 



? rryiS meet that thou should'st seek to find 
®J[fe The one who loves thee best; 

For worthier far, that one when 

found, 
Thy love than all the rest. 



joy upon joy will be thine 

Wilt thou keep but thy heart's fountain 
pure : 
Great blessings for ever will shine 
And love will forever endure. 



The trusting prayer that mounts above, 
And teaches heaven's worth, 

While filling most with heavenly love, 
Draws closer ties to earth. 



54 VERSES. 

No breast but bears some silent sorrow 
No eyes but shed their secret tears ; 

Our joys from pain we ever borrow, 
And hope is built upon our fears. 



WRITTEN IN AN ALBUM THE SUNDAY MORNING AFTER 
PRESIDENT GARFIELD WAS SHOT. 

\ I /HE melancholy news 
^Y® O'er all the land is sw^eeping, 
And strong, brave hearts are sad 
And tender hearts are weeping. 

Twice red with martyr's blood 
Our flag half mast is flying ; 

A mad assassin shot — 
The President is dying! 

Sweet sympathy for his 
From every breast is stealing ; 

In prayer devout for him 
The nation now is kneeling. 



V£/?SES. 



SS 



0DEAE beloved land 
God with reproving hand 
Our Chief's laid low; 
Let us the lesson learn 
And from our errors turn — 
Let our sad hearts all yearn 
God's will to know. 

We love him dearly, all, 
And heaven's mercy call 

For strength to bear 
Sorrows by heaven sent 
In holy chastisement — 
Of our loved government 

Let us have care. 

God grant him health again ; 
Free him from every pain. 

We thee -beseech; 
Stop thou these tears that flow- 
Tears shed in bitter woe — 
And let us joyful go 

Thv will to teach. 



56 VERSES. 



Zo motbcr. 

a LAS, we grow old and we think of the 
day 
When a gentle hand led us, and 
softened our way ; 
And we love many times and we're loved in 

return 
Ere the ever-proved love of our mother's we 
learn. 

Dear mother, think not that the heart of 

thy hoy 
Has never heen moved by the love you 

employ ; 
By the love you employ with a mother's 

sure art 
Till it sinks, like an arrow, deep into the 

heart. 

Other loves may be wrecked, like a ship on 
the shore, 

But the love of my mother is mine ever- 
more ; 

Misfortune would make me to her but more 
dear 

And move from its fountain sweet sym- 
pathy's tear. 



VERSES. 



57 



To-day is your birthday, and what shall I 

bring ? 
Not these poor little verses I tremblingly 

sing! 
They are not as dear as the soft nursery 

rhymes 
Where slumber lay hiding in infancy's times. 

no, 'tis not these that I bring you to-day 
But the love of my heart which no verses 

can say; 
No tongue has ere spoken the love that was 

felt, 
For love has a meaning no language has 

spelt. 




SS VERSES. 



IF each fleeting year comes laden, 
Laden with a friendship, maiden, 
That I hold as very dear, 
Will my memory gently turning, 
Turning with a silent yearning, 

Look with joy to this glad year : 

To the precious friends it brought me, 
To the lessons it hath taught me, 

To its days of rain and shine, 
To its hours of deepest gladness, 
Gladness all too near to sadness, — 

Who shall know what hours W' ere mine ? 

And if thou shoald'st still remember 
'Midst thy joys so new and tender 

One so far away from thee, 
May'st thy thoughts be filled with kindness, — 
And with some of Cupid's blindness — 

For the faults that thou may'st see. 



VERSES. ^g 



Blank IDcrec. 

WRITTEN OX A SIXDAY MORNIXG AFTER THE FIRST 
SNOW-STORM (JF THE SEASON. 

Y\ LL night the angel architects have been 
^^ At work, among the quarried stones 

in heaven, 
Creating for themselves more lovely forms 
Than ere the hand of Phidias wrought, or we 
In Fancy's flight conceive. The chippings 

from 
Their million chisels make a garment for 
The earth beyond man's art to imitate. 

Look at the trees ! Behold how every twig 
Upholds its utmost burden, while the winds 
Have hushed themselves — have held their 

breath in rapt 
Expectancy of some great wonder, and 
Enabled thus a miracle to be 
Performed. 



6o VERSES. 



And the abodes of man! These rude 
Materials have undergone a strange 
And wond'rous transformation, draped with 

hnes 
Of beauty which the hands that shaped 

them dreamed 
Not of. 'Tis all the work of w^ondersmiths 
Invisible. No form to them appears 
Too rude for beauty. Sky-born wreaths 

adorn 
Each picket in the fence, and crown the 

stake 
Fast driven in the ground. A pile of earth 
Has now become a throne for proudest 

prince 
Or fairest queen to grace. 

Those sentinels, 
White capped, you see ? A year has passed 

since they 
Were stationed at the gate in their tall 

caps ; 
But at the first approach of Winter they 
Resume their former garb and warn mankind 
Not to pollute such perfect handiwork. 
Behold those hooded monks, knee-bent as if 
In prayer, upon each roof. They have no 

arms. 



VERSES. 6r 



Or hold them out of sight beneath then- 

gowns. 
But one I see to whom I lend my arms, 
And join the benediction that he seems 
To breathe upon the gentle spirits 'neath 
The roof, who dwell unconscious how he 

bends 
In prayerful watchfulness. 

And now, in shape 
Of boy, comes man. He fills the air with 

cries, 
Though not without the painful prompting 

of 
Dread poverty. To bring man news of man, 
With chronicles of horrid crimes, the poor 
Have lent their child. And see! his httle 

back 
Is bent beneath the weight of his dread 

load. 

And in the path he leaves behind him, see 
The painful record he has left, — a stain 
Upon the pure white snow, and two deep 

cuts 
No mortal can erase. But let us hope 
That his young soul is pure — as pure as is 



62 VERSES. 



The snow; that any stain there may be 

there 
But came from contact with the world; 

that it 
Like snow beneath the sun's warm rays, 

returns 
Again to heaven, and leaves behind all 

earth's 
Imi)urities and stains. 

The snow has ceased 
To fall,^and still the winds have waited, soft, 
As if to know the miracle had grown 
Complete. But Nature never sleeps. She 

must 
Be working wonders, building beauty for 
Its own sweet sake. And so should man do 

works, 
Nor caring for the praise of man, nor fame ; 
But as the robin builds, and as the lark 
Pours forth its notes of melody, and as 
The river flows, and clouds their splendor 

wear. 

Become quite satisfied the storm-king's 

work 
Has been accomplished, softly steal the 

winds 



VERSES. 



^3 



To test the work. Tiiey sport about among 
The laden branches, in the mimic storm 
They make, dehghting. Now and then will 

launch 
Itself, 'mid air, a meteor of snow. 
And see ! as if the spirit wind itself. 
Embodied, hops a sparrow, in its garb 
Of Quaker-gray, from branch to branch, and 

looks 
With wonder at the changes it creates. 





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